Alabama

Marijuana, the tree of life?

The mail-order minister of a Hollywood church that burns marijuana during services and allegedly sells it to members says that's protected under federal law because the drug is a religious sacrament, The Associated Press reports.

The judge, however, has ruled that the Rev. Craig X. Rubin can't use federal law as a defense because he just faces state charges, AP states.

The story notes: "Rubin, who's representing himself at his drug trial, says members of his Temple 420 believe that marijuana is the tree of life mentioned in the Bible."